Try these fun heart-healthy activities in honor of American Heart Month.
Your heart is such a powerful (and symbolic) organ. There’s no better way to celebrate your body than by taking care of your heart! February is American Heart Month, so it’s a great time to pay attention to your heart health and start habits to keep yourself thriving all year.
Here are some of the best ways to celebrate American Heart Month:
- Participate in a fundraiser walk for heart health
- Schedule a physical
- Wear red on Friday
- Try a new cardio exercise
- Share the love & awareness
- Learn new heart-healthy recipes
Let’s check out these ideas for making the most of American Heart Month together!
Participate in a fundraiser walk for heart health
The American Heart Association hosts Heart Walks, with some taking place in February and others scattered throughout the year. Funds raised from Heart Walks go toward life-saving scientific research and heart health education. Enter your state or zip code to find a walk near you and get involved! You can join as an individual or create a team so you can walk for heart health with your friends and family.
Schedule a physical
One of the best ways you can take charge of your heart health is by regularly seeing your doctor. Even if you’re in overall good health, they can help monitor vital signs that affect the heart, like your heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol. This makes it easier to notice changes over time. Your doctor can also recommend safe lifestyle adjustments you can make to protect your heart.
Wear red on Friday
The color of American Heart Month is, of course, red! National Wear Red Day was started to raise awareness for heart disease. The national day takes place on the first Friday of February, but there’s nothing to say you can’t wear red on other Fridays and use it to start discussions then too! Go Red for Women designed a special red dress lapel pin specifically to raise awareness of heart disease in women and support those affected. The pin could make a great addition to your outfit!
Try a new cardio exercise
There’s more to cardio than running on a treadmill or elliptical. Anything that gets your heart pumping counts! That could be dancing, swimming, bicycling, or other fun activities that might hardly feel like exercise because you’re too busy enjoying them! Read about these cardio exercises for seniors (that you can also enjoy whether you’re a senior or not). As always, check with your doctor before starting any new fitness regimen.
Share the love & awareness
Heart disease is common in America, meaning it’s essential for us all to share information and support with our friends and families. You can participate in the #OurHearts campaign simply by sharing posts on social media. Or, hand out heart-shaped trinkets or valentine’s cards with heart health suggestions on them!
Learn new heart-healthy recipes
February is a cold month in many parts of America, so spend it getting cozy in the kitchen. Incorporate heart-healthy foods like black beans (in soup and burritos), baked salmon (with heart-healthy asparagus on the side), and different kinds of oatmeal (a perfect winter breakfast). Here are some other unique heart-healthy recipes to mix your dinners up this month.
Did you know that taking care of your heart can also protect your hearing health? When you love yourself, the rest will follow!
